Advisers

Dana France H. Ignacio, PhD

Discipline

Hospitality Management

Abstract

Over-tourism has emerged as a significant concern in popular religious destinations in Bulacan, particularly in Padre Pio Mountain of Healing and Grotto Church. Increasing visitor volume has created challenges that may affect guest satisfaction and the sustainability of these sites. Guided by the Social Carrying Capacity Theory, this study aimed to assess the impacts of over-tourism on guest experiences in the identified tourist destinations. Specifically, it examined the environmental, social, and economic impacts experienced by visitors and served as the basis for proposing management strategies to mitigate the negative effects of over-tourism while sustaining tourism benefits for local communities. This study employed a quantitative descriptive research design. A structured survey questionnaire based on the Statement of the Problem was administered to visitors of Padre Pio Mountain of Healing and Grotto Church using convenience sampling. The instrument gathered data on respondents’ demographic profile and their assessment of environmental, social, and economic impacts of over-tourism. The data were statistically treated using frequency, percentage, and weighted mean to determine the level of impact and identify the most significant problems encountered by visitors. The findings revealed that over-tourism moderately affects guest experiences in the selected religious tourist sites. Among the identified issues, overcrowding obtained the highest rank as the most serious problem encountered by visitors. This was followed by increased prices of goods and services, limited facilities, noise pollution, and safety and security concerns. Environmental impacts were observed through congestion and waste-related issues, while social impacts manifested in visitor discomfort during peak periods. Economic impacts were reflected in the perceived rise in prices within the surrounding areas. The study concluded that although Padre Pio Mountain of Healing and Grotto Church continue to provide economic and spiritual benefits to visitors and local communities, unmanaged visitor influx may compromise guest experience and site sustainability. Therefore, the study recommends the implementation of crowd management, scheduled visiting systems, facility improvements, price monitoring, strengthened safety measures, and promotion of responsible tourism practices to mitigate the impacts of over-tourism while sustaining tourism benefits for local stakeholders.

Keywords

over-tourism, guest experience, padre pio mountain of healing, grotto church, social carrying capacity